Birmingham Prospectus

8/12/2019 Birmingham Prospectus

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Doctoral Research Prospectus

2013admissions

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AN INSPIRATIONAL

ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE

AT A LEADING GLOBAL

UNIVERSITY


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Search for doctoral research opportunities at www.birmingham.ac.uk/drDoctoralResearcher

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?

An elite academic experience

at a university that pushes the

boundaries of knowledge

Our research has powered our university

for over 100 years, won Nobel Prizes and

made an impact on the region, the nation

and the world. This track record of research

excellence means we can offer you a

world-class experience, studying with

academics who are global experts and

leaders in their field. We belong to the

prestigious Russell Group of research-active

UK universities and have longstanding

research partnerships with leading

companies and other academic institutions.

This ensures that as a doctoral researcher

here you will have access to the very

latest theoretical and applied knowledge

in your field. Our range of research is one

of the widest in the UK, creating exciting

opportunities for interdisciplinary links and

an exceptional ability to supervise ambitious

and innovative research projects.

Preparing you for success

Doctoral research at Birmingham offers you

a wealth of opportunities that can transform

your thinking, widen your horizons and

ensure you have all the skills you need to

succeed in the employment market. You can

gain a global perspective on your research

by visiting one of our international partner

universities, or boost your understanding

of business through events such as our

Postgraduate Enterprise Summer School.

A wide range of training and development

courses, opportunities to teach and the

chance to get involved in volunteering will

help you acquire the transferable skills that

all employers look for. Our excellent links

with companies in all sectors can help you

gain work-wisdom to complement your

specialist subject knowledge. Time spent

on your doctorate is a sound investment,

as you will be well rewarded by improved

career prospects and accelerated

progress once you start work.

An outstanding research

environment in a global city

As one of the most popular universities for

postgraduate study in the UK, Birmingham

has a vibrant and lively doctoral research

community. All doctoral researchers are

brought together by the University Graduate

School, which provides an abundance of

opportunities to meet researchers from

other disciplines, share experiences and

enrich both your academic and social life.

You cannot fail to be inspired by our campus,

which is rich in heritage and beauty, set in a

leafy green site with a wealth of amenities

and attractions. Its world-class facilities are

continually being improved and developed

for the benefit of our students, with an

investment of around 1 million each

week. We are just ten minutes away from

the centre of Birmingham, which is one

of Europes most dynamic and culturally

diverse cities.


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TheInternational Herald Tribunehas ranked the

University of Birmingham 55th in the world and

9th in the UK for post-qualification employability.

We have been shortlisted

as University of the Year

for 2013 by The Sunday

Times. Each year a

university is chosen by

a panel of experts based

on all round academic

excellence.

The University is a

founding member of

the Russell Groupof

research universities

and Universitas 21 a

network of 21 research

universities from 13

countries.


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Why Birmingham?

At Birmingham, we work hard to provide

our students with a first-class academic

experience. Our priority is to deliver

exceptional teaching and learning resources

to allow you to achieve your full potential.

A tradition of excellence

For more than 100 years, the University

of Birmingham has produced innovative,

imaginative and ambitious research that

has made an impact on society and

peoples lives.

In the 20th century our researchers pioneered

transplant surgery and the use of microwaves,

created artificial Vitamin C, and proved that

the glutens in wheat cause coeliac disease,

leading to the introduction of gluten-free diets.

In the 21st century we continue to break new

ground with research that is internationally

significant and addresses real life issues.

We lead the field in many of todays emerging

disciplines and can support research in areas

such as hydrogen vehicle technology,

nanotechnology, gene therapy, robotics, and

the use of virtual reality in archaeology. Among

many recent developments, researchers from

diverse disciplines have successfully used a

herpes vaccine to attack and kill cancer cells,

developed the first over-the-counter home

fertility test for men, and discovered a major

ceremonial monument less than one kilometre

away from Stonehenge.

An international university

The quality and range of our research places

many of our academics at the global forefront

of their disciplines, fostering international

connections. Birmingham is also a member

of Universitas 21, a global network of 23

research-intensive universities. This creates

opportunities for international research

collaborations and for our students to travel

to partner institutions to learn about relevant

research developments. As an international

university we are keen to measure up on a

global stage. Out of over 8,000 universities

in the world, we are:

77th in the QS World University Rankings,

placing us 10th out of 29 UK universities

to feature in the rankings

101st in the Jiao Tong (China) Worldwide

League Table

Ranked 55th in the world and 9th in the

UK for post-qualification employability

byThe International Herald Tribune

One of only 25 European institutions to

be designated a Jean Monnet European

Centre of Excellence by the European

Commission in recognition of our expertise

in European affairs

A top-class postgraduate experience

The Postgraduate Research Experience

Survey (PRES) gives research students at

Birmingham the opportunity to voice their

opinions on their experience. In the most

recent PRES survey to date (2011):

Birmingham doctoral researchers report

particularly high scores for supervision

and 98% of students consider supervisory

support and guidance as important to

them. 71% say support and guidance

has exceeded their expectations.

The University performs well in the area of

skills development. Scores are particularly

high for the ability to learn independently

(87%) and the improvement of analytical

skills (85%).

WHEN YOU ARE CHOOSING A UNIVERSITY FOR DOCTORAL

RESEARCH, ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO

CONSIDER IS ITS ACADEMIC REPUTATION. YOU WANT TO

STUDY SOMEWHERE WITH A STRONG RESEARCH CULTURE,

AN INSTITUTION WHICH IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF DISCOVERY

AND INNOVATION. YOU WANT A UNIVERSITY THAT MEASURES

UP TO YOUR EXPECTATIONS.

Investing inpostgraduate study

As a research-rich university, we are

ambitious for the future and are committed

to developing and investing in new

academic talent. We work to provide

the best possible research environment,

offer support services that are second to

none and will encourage you to fulfil your

potential. We are investing in our doctoral

researchers and are pleased to offer

over 200 full- or partially-funded awards

to outstanding applicants wishing to

undertake PhD research at the University

of Birmingham. A searchable database of

our directly funded and competition funded

PhD research opportunities is available

at www.birmingham.ac.uk/dr


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Original thinking

Our position as a leading research-intensive

university and a member of the Russell Group

gives researchers here a real chance to make

a difference. Eight of our academics and

alumni have been awarded Nobel Prizes

for their work.

Francis Aston (18771945)

Awarded the Nobel Prize for

Chemistry 1922

Sir Norman Haworth (18831950)

Awarded (jointly) the Nobel Prize for

Chemistry 1937

Lord Robert Cecil (18641958)

Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 1937

Sir Peter Medawar (19151987)

Awarded the Nobel Prize (jointly)

for Physiology or Medicine 1960

Maurice Wilkins (19162004)

Awarded the Nobel Prize (jointly)


Sir John Vane (19272004)

Awarded (jointly) the Nobel Prize

for Medicine 1982

Sir Paul Nurse (1949present)

Awarded (jointly) the Nobel Prize


Professor Peter Bullock (19372008)

Awarded (collectively) the Nobel Peace

Prize 2007

The breadth and depth of our

academic portfolio

Our range of research is one of the widest

available at any UK university, creating exciting

opportunities for interdisciplinary links and

broad thematic topics. This gives us an

exceptional ability to supervise ambitious

and innovative research projects and cater

for postgraduates with interdisciplinary

research interests.


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Many of our resources are of national

significance, and all are fully available

to doctoral researchers. They include:

Our Special Collections and archives

consisting of 120,000 pre-1850 books

and three million manuscripts

The Mingana Collection of Middle Eastern

manuscripts, the largest such collection

after the Vatican and the Bibliothque

nationale de France

The largest superconducting magnet for

molecular imaging in the UK, housed in

the Universitys Henry Wellcome Building

The Shakespeare Institute Library in

Stratford-upon-Avon, which holds an

internationally significant collection of

books, manuscripts and archive materialon the history and performance of

Renaissance drama

Research power

Birmingham is a research-rich university with

academic staff who are global experts in their

field, including people whose work pushes

forward the frontiers of their subject.

The results of the 2008 Research Assessment

Exercise (RAE) prove the University of

Birminghams research power has global reach

and leads the world in a range of disciplines.

The University was the top ranked in the West

Midlands and 12th in the UK. Birmingham is

named as the leading Cancer Studies centre

outside London, while for Sports Science we

are ranked second and for Psychology third

in the UK. Overall the RAE results show that

90% of the Universitys research has global

reach with 16% assessed as world leading

(4*) and 41% as internationally excellent (3*).

Research partnerships

We are involved in a wide range of research

partnerships with business, industry and

government, and we work to ensure that

our knowledge is transferred to practical

applications rapidly and effectively.

Established links with companies such as

Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Shell, Barclays Bank,

Kodak and GlaxoSmithKline ensure that our

researchers are well-placed to find commercialopportunities for their work and skills.

We also work closely with academic partners

in the UK and beyond, creating internationally

significant research teams that focus on

developing practical solutions to both local

and global challenges. Examples of such

partnerships include the Midlands Energy

Consortium, the Manufacturing Technology

Centre, Birmingham Science City Alliance

and the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study.

Facilities and resources

The University has the largest research

support facilities in the West Midlands, offering

over 2.7 million books and periodicals and

more than 16,000 electronic resources.

I benefited from collaboration

with industry and other

leading universities, as well as

encouragement to publish my

research work and present

at leading conferences.

Ranjit Kulkarni, Doctoral Researcher in

Chemical Engineering, now Regional

Manager, UOP (Honeywell)

As a doctoral researcherat Birmingham I received

research support and

supervision from a caring,

internationally renowned

faculty with first-rate expertise

in their field. I also benefited

from being part of an equally

dynamic postgraduate

community.Caroline Mei Lin Ho, Doctoral Researcher,

Department of English

We also have a wide range of services

designed to help you access and use these

resources most effectively, including:

Electronic databases and journals in the

eLibrary, available both on and off campus

Online library catalogue of printed

collections

One-to-one information clinics for

doctoral researchers to support individual

learning needs

Subject and database guides to help

identify useful information sources

Skills guides to help you get the most

out of your research

A range of library services by telephone

or online

Doctoral researchers also have access to

the high-performance research computing

facility, BlueBEAR, one of the most powerful

computers in the UK, developed in partnership

with IBM.

Shakespeare Institute Library


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MY RESEARCH EXAMINES MONASTIC COMMUNITIES AND

PILGRIMAGE SITES IN THE HOLY LAND FOLLOWING THE

ESTABLISHMENT OF ISLAMIC RULE, WITH THE AIM OF

DISPELLING ANTI-ARAB PREJUDICE.

My findings offer a more nuanced analysis of ChristianMuslim interfacing in this formative

period than that which is repeatedly evoked in modern interfaith dialogue. Undertaking my

doctoral research at Birmingham has enabled me to work with some of the most renowned

scholars in my discipline in an institution which remains dedicated to a strong tradition of innovative

research and exceptional standards of supervision. Thanks to the support I have received from

the University I have become part of a global research environment, participating in academic

events across the UK, Europe and the Middle East. These experiences have not only proved

invaluable for my career development, but they have also given me some fantastic opportunities

to meet many interesting people and visit some fascinating places.

Daniel Reynolds

Doctoral Researcher, College of Arts and Law

pushthe boundaries of knowledge


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Remember: it is hard work

but you will grow and gain

a new way of looking at the

world. There are times when

you will become consumed

by it all but being able to

see an end point keeps

you focused and in control.Regular meetings with your

tutor keep you grounded

and ensure you create a

self-help network with

fellow researchers.

Claire Largan, Doctoral Researcher,

School of Education


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University Graduate School

THE UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL BRINGS TOGETHER

ALL DOCTORAL RESEARCHERS AT BIRMINGHAM. IT ACTS AS

YOUR CENTRAL RESOURCE POINT, GIVING YOU ACCESS TO A

WEALTH OF SERVICES TO SUPPORT YOU IN YOUR RESEARCH,

DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS AND PREPARE YOU FOR SUCCESS IN A

COMPETITIVE GLOBAL MARKET.

Our services for doctoral researchers

include: a welcome and induction programme;

skills training and development courses;

information and advice; and research-focused

events, giving you the chance to meet

researchers from other disciplines across

the University. We also provide a number

of travel scholarships each year to enable

doctoral researchers to visit other

international universities and institutes.

Welcome and induction

The University Graduate School Induction

Day in October will introduce you to the

facilities available to doctoral researchers

and will outline how we can support you in

your studies. We also run a dedicated

Welcome programme, including lunches

and coffee mornings, where you can get

to know other new doctoral researchers

in a friendly, informal setting.

Additionally, our Doctoral Researcher

Essentials package provides an online guide

to your first year as a doctoral researcher.

The course consists of five separate modules

covering key stages of the incipient doctoral

research career. The course is self-paced and

you can dip in and out, or work through it in its

entirety as you need to.

Skills training and development

Our wide range of doctoral researcher training

enables you to develop both your skills as a

researcher and skills that you can transfer to

the workplace, improving your work-based

competencies and employability. Whether

you need to deliver a conference presentation,

improve your communication skills or get to

grips with project management, we offer

courses that will help you. We also help you

to carry out a training needs analysis to identify

the skills you need to develop in each year of

your PhD and how you plan to do this.

Training courses

IT and research skills development training is

offered to all doctoral researchers. Courses

offered include:

Research and information

Data analysis

Intellectual property and

knowledge transfer

Business and enterprise

Networking and teamworking

Communication skills

Academic publishing

Presentation skills

Personal effectiveness

Career development

Teaching and learning

Subject-specific skills development

E-learning

Writing and presenting your thesis

Many courses are delivered online so you can

learn at your own pace and at a time that suits

your schedule.

Many doctoral researchers have opportunities

to teach within their departments, which can

provide valuable experience as well as a

source of income. The University Graduate

School offers training in basic teaching

skills to enable you to take advantage of

these opportunities. If you teach for at least

15 hours over an 18-month period you can

take the Pathway Module that leads to

Associate membership of the Higher

Education Academy.

Information and advice

Our Research Student Administration team

is available to answer all your questions about

the University rules and regulations governing

doctoral research, including how to present

and submit your thesis, how to prepare for

your viva and how to request a leave of

absence or an extension.


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A sense of community

The University Graduate School helps foster

a sense of community amongst doctoral

researchers through our regular programme of

events. As a Birmingham doctoral researcher

you can take part in networking sessions and

annual events, such as our Research Poster

Conference and Doctoral Researcher

Community Day, which provide you with

valuable opportunities to meet and learn

from colleagues across the University

research community.

Overseas travel scholarships

We offer a number of scholarships each year

to enable doctoral researchers to travel to

partner universities within Universitas 21

the global network of research-intensive

universities to learn more about relevant

research developments. Each scholarship

pays up to 1,500 to assist with travel and

accommodation costs, and a visit is usually

for a period of approximately one month.

Universitas 21 Joint PhDs

Universitas 21 (U21) has established a unique

framework for jointly awarded PhDs. Under

this scheme, two partner universities create

a tailor-made programme of study for the

doctoral researcher, taking their specific

research needs into account and enabling

collaboration with another U21 university.

Each institution will allocate the doctoral

researcher a minimum of one supervisor with

whom they will have actual or virtual joint

meetings, and they will enjoy access to the

same facilities as other doctoral researchers

enrolled at that institution.

For a list of participating institutions and to find

out more please visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/

international/collaborate/universitas21.aspx

For more information about the support

available from the University Graduate School

please visitwww.graduateschool.bham.ac.uk


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seize the opportunities thatwill shape your future

UNDERTAKING DOCTORAL RESEARCH AT BIRMINGHAM HAS

HELPED ME WIDEN MY HORIZONS AND KEEP MY FUTURE

CAREER OPTIONS OPEN.

I have had the opportunity to nurture my dreams of being an entrepreneur through various

initiatives like Enterprising Birmingham, Talent Pool and the Postgraduate Enterprise Summer

School. I have also been fortunate enough to obtain a U21 Research Student Travel Bursary

from the University which enabled me to carry out research at the National University of

Singapore. This has proved to be an invaluable investment both for completing my PhD thesis

and for my future. At this final stage of my doctoral research at Birmingham, I can confidently

say that I have had one of the best times of my life and I will remain ever grateful for the

countless opportunities Birmingham has given me to invest in my future.

Olubayode Ero-Phillips

Doctoral Researcher, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences


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Help and support

WE AIM TO PROVIDE YOU WITH ALL THE RESOURCES WE

CAN TO FACILITATE YOUR RESEARCH AND HELP YOU REALISE

YOUR POTENTIAL. THIS INCLUDES ENSURING THAT YOUR

EVERYDAY LIFE RUNS AS SMOOTHLY AS POSSIBLE DURING

YOUR TIME HERE.

Our International Students Advisory Service

(ISAS) provides you with a strong network

of support, starting before you arrive and

continuing throughout your studies. We offer

specialist help and advice on a wide range

of issues including immigration, finance and

family concerns.

We can advise you by email (isas@contacts.

bham.ac.uk) or in person at our walk-in

guidance service. Alternatively you can book

a one-to-one confidential appointment with

an adviser.

In addition to the tailor-made services

provided by ISAS, you have access to the full

range of general support services available to

all students here. These are outlined over

the following pages.

Welcome International

To welcome you and help you settle into

University life, we run a dedicated five-day

programme in September called Welcome

International. This begins with an airport

collection service and includes tours of the

campus and the city, help with administrative

tasks such as registering with a doctor and

the police, if necessary, and social events

where you can meet other international

postgraduates. We also arrange social events

for students and their dependants throughout

the year, including a Christmas party for

students children.

Immigration advice and services

ISAS offers immigration advice and information

relating to specific immigration categories

including Visitors, Student Visitors, Students,

Student Dependants, EEA Nationals,

non-EEA Family Members, and certain

employment categories.

For a full list of our immigration advice and

visa services please see www.as.bham.ac.uk/

studentlife/international/visa/index.shtml

Family life

As well as helping you to apply for visas

for your family members, we also offer

information for families when they arrive here.

A comprehensive guide Bringing your Family

to the UKcovering areas such as childcare,

healthcare, education, budgeting, banking and

driving in the UK, can be downloaded from our

website at www.as.bham.ac.uk/studentlife/

international/guides.shtml

Finance

The ISAS website offers information on

sources of funding and scholarships from the

University. ISAS can also help you clarify your

tuition fee status and eligibility for student

support, and can give advice in cases of

financial difficulty. We have a range of

information guides on financial issues that

can be downloaded from www.as.bham.ac.uk/

studentlife/international/guides.shtml

Living and working in the UK

ISAS provides support to help you settle

into life at Birmingham and the University,

including guidance on opening a bankaccount, registering with a doctor and

shopping locally. If you need to work to

support your studies during your time

here, we can advise you about working

in the UK and the various work schemes

that are available for international students

following graduation.

Meet us in your country

If you need help and advice before making

your decision to study here you can meet

our International Relations staff in your own

country. We attend exhibitions and events,

and work with a network of overseas

representatives who can give you advice

and guidance on your application. To find

out when we will be visiting your country

please visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/

international/meet/index.aspx

I was both excited and

anxious about coming to

the UK to study. However,all of my apprehension was

dissolved by the overwhelming

experience of the local people

welcoming me to the city and

to the University.

Vinod More, Doctoral Researcher,

International Business

The University of Birminghamexposed me to a critical way

of academic learning. I really

enjoyed this and am now using

it practically in delivering public

services as a state bureaucrat.

Sitendra Singh, Doctoral Researcher,

Public Service


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A wide network of support services is

on hand to help you with any practical

and personal issues you may encounter,

leaving you free to focus on achieving

your academic goals.

Before you arrive:

Doctoral ReSEARCHer Enquiry

Service (DRES)

The Doctoral ReSEARCHer Enquiry Service

provides advice and guidance to prospective

students on:

Searching for advertised PhD opportunities

Identifying a potential supervisor

The PhD application process

Writing the PhD proposal

Scholarships, bursaries and funding

opportunities

Lifestyle and accommodation

You can either call the DRES centre on

+44 (0)121 414 5005 or email:

[email protected]

Postgraduate mentors

If you have queries or concerns about any

aspect of life as a doctoral researcher at

Birmingham, you can get first-hand information

and advice from current students as soon

as you have received your offer of a place.

Postgraduate student mentors are available

to answer your questions via email based

on their own experience of campus life, their

school and college, the city, the transition to

postgraduate study, and anything else you

need to know about studying and living here.

They can also help you with registration and

administration procedures once you arrive.

Email: [email protected] for

more information on this service.

Once you are here:

Counselling and guidance

The Counselling and Guidance Service is

here to help students get the most out of

their time at university. The service provides

counselling for all registered students in order

to help them engage more effectively in their

academic and social environment and to

achieve their potential.

Advice and representation

The Advice and Representation Centre offers

free, impartial and confidential information,

advice and representation on a wide range

of issues, including housing, finance and

legal issues.

Financial advice

The Student Funding Office offers support

and training on all aspects of student finance,

from scholarships and fees to managing

your money.

Health and dental care

The University has its own Medical Practice

and University Dental and Implant Centre on

the edge of our main campus, catering for our

students and staff.

Social life

As a member of the Guild of Students you

have access to over 190 student groups,

societies and associations. Whether you want

to meet new people, continue a hobby or skill,

learn something new or just get involved in

student life, there is a group for everyone.

Postgraduate and Mature

Students Association

There is an association of postgraduate and

mature students, where specific issues can be

discussed. There is also a Postgraduate and

Mature Students Officer (PMSO) to represent

these views and offer support.

Nightline

Nightline is a free and confidential listening

service run by students for students, where

you can talk about anything, from your

research stresses to your personal life.

Disability and dyslexia advice and support

The University offers support for a range of

disabilities. We are here to help and to make

sure that you can take full advantage of the

university experience, whatever your disability

or support needs.

Supporting your faith

Birmingham is a secular university, but

respects all faiths and provides opportunities

for prayer. In our multi-faith Chaplaincy

students of all faiths and those interested

in world religions are invited to take part

in a varied programme of events, worship

and activities. For further information on the

services offered by the Chaplaincy please

visit: www.birmingham.ac.uk/students/

support/faith.aspx

Childcare facilities

For students with childcare needs we havetwo day nurseries offering high standards

of care, one of which includes a pre-school

unit. For more information please visit

www.birmingham.ac.uk/students/

support/nursery.aspx

Learn more

Further information on all our student

support services can be found at

www.birmingham.ac.uk/students/support


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EMPLOYERS VALUE DOCTORAL GRADUATES. A 2010 SURVEY

OF AROUND 100 HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTORS AND

MANAGERS FOUND THAT SEVEN OUT OF TEN SOUGHT

TO RECRUIT EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE A DOCTORATE.

Careers and employability

Of these, approximately nine out of ten

said they valued the subject-specific skills,

the research and technical skills, and the

analytical thinking and problem-solving skills

of doctoral graduates.

So your qualification adds significant value for

an employer but it is not, in itself, a guarantee

that you will meet their needs. In an increasingly

competitive employment market, you need

access to high quality opportunities and

resources to help you market yourself

to employers and ensure you are well

prepared for success.

Career development services

Our Careers and Employability Centre offers

a range of services to support you in this.

We can offer one-to-one advice to help you

plan your career, explore employment areas,

research further study options, review your

CV, complete application forms and prepare

for interviews. We work closely with a number

of networks to customise your job searches

to your home country and provide access to

virtual recruitment fairs to ensure that you are

able to access suitable job roles there.

We also offer a range of specialist services for

international students who wish to work in the

UK after graduation.

Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Entrepreneurship and Innovation, part of

the Careers and Employability Centre, runs

a number of initiatives to help doctoral

researchers develop their entrepreneurial

and business skills. These include:

Postgraduate Enterprise Summer School

This intensive week-long training course for

doctoral researchers covers a wide range

of topics related to enterprise and

entrepreneurship. These include innovation,business planning, marketing, financing

and commercialisation, as well as

communication, presentation and

networking skills.

The Talent Pool

The Talent Pool aims to create a network of

doctoral and postdoctoral researchers and

give them access to real-life opportunities

such as work experience, placements,

internships or consultancy contracts,

or assist them in setting up their own

business. Entry to the Talent Pool requires

some basic enterprise and professional

skills training to be undertaken in the form

of five interactive and engaging workshops

and a one-day assessment.

Enterprising Birmingham

Business Plan Competition

This challenging competition offers all

internal research staff and PhD students

(supported by their supervisor) the chance

to develop a research-related business

idea and win a share of 30,000.

For more information about Entrepreneurship

and Innovation please visit www.as.bham.ac.uk/

ei/enterprise/doctoral.shtml


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immerseyourself in the Birmingham experience

THERE IS A REALLY STRONG POSTGRADUATE COMMUNITY

AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM AND YOU TRULY FEEL

THAT YOU ARE AN IMPORTANT AND VALUED MEMBER OF

THE INSTITUTION.

I have been given some fantastic opportunities to get involved in the research community

and I have benefited from an excellent level of interaction with the academic staff. The

research centre for my subject area invited me to act as the postgraduate representative on

its management board, a role which allowed me to champion the interests of the postgraduate

community whilst gaining a better understanding of academic practices. The University

was also kind enough to give our Postgraduate Forum some funding to enable us to host

a symposium, which attracted over 50 participants from institutions across the country.

I have also received numerous grants that have allowed me to present my research at

a variety of international conferences. These experiences have been of immeasurable

benefit to both my personal development and my future career.

Emily Rozier



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WITH ITS MAGNIFICENT ARCHITECTURE AND LEAFY GREEN

SITE, OUR CAMPUS PROVIDES AN INSPIRATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

FOR YOUR RESEARCH. STUDYING HERE GIVES YOU THE BEST

OF BOTH WORLDS A PEACEFUL YET THRIVING CAMPUS

COMMUNITY ON THE DOORSTEP OF ONE OF EUROPES

MOST DYNAMIC AND CULTURALLY DIVERSE CITIES.

Our campus

Heritage and beauty

The main campus at Edgbaston is set in 25

acres of parkland with spacious lawns, trees,

a lake, and significant works of sculpture

enhancing its landscape. With its domed

redbrick buildings and landmark 100-metre

high clock tower built to commemorate

the Universitys first Chancellor, Joseph

Chamberlain, the campus is rich in

heritage and beauty.

Our Selly Oak campus, two miles from

Edgbaston, is a green 80-acre site with a

village atmosphere. Among the facilities here

are the School of Education and the BBC

Drama Village where several national

network drama series are produced.

Amenities and attractions

The Edgbaston campus has all the amenities

of a small town, including shops, bars, cafs,

banks, medical and dental surgeries, sports

facilities and a train station, all within easy

reach. An award-winning art gallery, a concert

hall and a museum are among the cultural

attractions that make it a place to enjoy.

Culture on campus

The collections at Birmingham are here

to be savoured and treasured. But the

huge range of cultural artefacts on campus

from Old Master paintings to historic physics

instruments also plays a crucial role

in our research.

The Barber Institute of Fine Arts

With works by major artists including Monet,

Van Gogh, Botticelli, Degas, Picasso and

Magritte, the Barber Institute has been

described as one of the finest small art

galleries in Europe and was voted Gallery of

the Year in 2004 by the Good Britain Guide.

It is a Grade II listed building in distinctive

Art Deco style, with its own concert hall.

The Barber hosts a range of concerts,

talks, lectures, classes and family activities,

and is fully open to the public.

Learn more

www.barber.org.uk

Lapworth Museum of Geology

Our Lapworth Museum of Geology,

located at the centre of the Edgbaston

campus, holds 250,000 specimens of

rocks, fossils and minerals, and has been

designated an Outstanding Collection

by the Arts and Humanities Research

Council. Dating back to 1880, it is

one of the oldest specialist geological

museums in the UK.

Learn more

www.birmingham.ac.uk/facilities/

lapworth-museum

Special Collections and archives

The Universitys Cadbury Research Library is

the home of approximately 120,000 pre-1850

books dating from 1471 and some three

million manuscripts. The collection contains

some remarkable pieces, including: diaries

showing Chamberlains personal thoughts

about his meetings with Hitler during the

Munich crisis of 1938; beautifully illuminated

Persian medieval manuscripts; first editions of

Charles Dickens and works from the printing

press of William Morris, illustrated by EdwardBurne-Jones.

Winterbourne House and Garden

Recently restored, this elegant Edwardian

Arts and Crafts-style house is set within

seven acres of beautiful botanic gardens,

home to over 6,000 plant species from

around the world.

Learn more

www.winterbourne.org.uk

Continual improvement

Our campus is a constant work in progress.

We are continually investing in campus

improvements, and spend around 1 million

each week on developing buildings, facilities

and resources. The prestigious Bramall Music

Building, opened in 2012, completes the

semi-circle of buildings that have been the

heart of the campus since 1909, fulfilling its

original architectural vision. Its state-of-the-art

auditorium offers the most flexible performance

space at a UK university. Over the next five

years the University also plans to invest 175

million in transforming the Edgbaston campus.

The redevelopments include a new sports

centre and a new library which will benefit

not only our students and staff but also

the local community.

Learn more

Find out about the amenities and attractions

on our campuses, their fascinating history andtheir importance to the city of Birmingham

www.birmingham.ac.uk/community/

university-campus/index.aspx

The green and quiet campus

at Edgbaston is a relaxed

environment for study and

the facilities are excellent.

Cai Heath, Doctoral Researcher,

International Development Department

Winterbourne Botanic Garden


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The Church at Varengeville, Claude Monet,Barber Institute of Fine Arts

When these buildings are

complete, they will be the best

of their kind in Europe and

perhaps the world.

The Rt Hon. Joseph Chamberlain,

Chancellor of the University, 19001914

Ammonites, The Lapworth MuseumThe Danford Collection of West African Art and Artefacts


22/62

The city on your doorstep

BIRMINGHAM HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED INTO ONE OF

EUROPES MOST EXCITING CITIES. IT IS MORE THAN

SOMEWHERE TO STUDY; IT IS SOMEWHERE TOBUILD

A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE.

When you choose to study at Birmingham,

youll be minutes away from a confident,

modern commercial centre. The city is home

to the largest financial services and creative

sectors outside London and a thriving business

community that offers you a wealth of career

opportunities.

Away from your studies, the city provides you

with the perfect backdrop to relax. Alongside

restaurants and bars, Birmingham is a hive of live

entertainment, from mainstream contemporary

acts at the O2 Academy and National Indoor

Arena for music, to the Glee Club for comedy.

The city also boasts one of Europes finest

concert halls, Symphony Hall, home to the

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

The Hippodrome Theatre is home to the

Birmingham Royal Ballet. The city centre has

three other theatres and a number of cinemas,

including Star City, an entertainment complex

featuring 24 screens with the latest Asian and

mainstream films under one roof.

For shopping you are spoilt for choice with the

iconic Bullring being one of Europes largest

city centre shopping areas. Birmingham also

has four bustling indoor and outdoor markets

selling everything from vintage clothes to fresh

fruit and vegetables; while for a real treat you

could visit the Mailbox, which brings together

designer fashion and lifestyle shops, luxury

apartments, hotels and an array of restaurants

and caf bars.

The Jewellery Quarter is home to

Birminghams historic jewellery trade, and

the area still boasts more than 400 shops

to enjoy: the perfect place to pick up a

unique piece at a bargain price.This is a great place to live. Birmingham is the best of both worlds.

It is well known for being a vibrant city, but less well known for beingon the doorstep of some of the most beautiful countryside in England.

David Newsome, Doctoral Researcher in Ancient History and Archaeology,

now Major Gifts Officer at the University of Birmingham


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The surrounding area

If you want a break from city living, some of

Englands most beautiful countryside is within

easy reach. The Severn Valley, the Malvern Hills,

Ironbridge Gorge (a UNESCO world heritage

site) and the picturesque Cotswolds villages

are all ideal destinations for a day trip. Nearby

Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick Castle,

Kenilworth Castle and the Black Country

Museum are rich in historical interest. Canals

and waterways thread their way through the

region, offering a relaxing way to explore its

natural landscapes.

Fact

Close to 9 billion has been

invested in the city centre over

the past 20 years

Bullring is the most visited

shopping centre outside

Londons West End, with more

than 150 shops inside the 530

million complex

There are more than 500 restaurants

in Birmingham offering a vast range

of international cuisine

Birmingham was the first city to be

awarded National City of Sport status

and hosts top level football, cricket,

tennis and golf

For hobbit fans, Sarehole Mill is a 200-year-

old watermill providing a tranquil haven from

21st century life outside. It was a favourite

haunt of the young JRR Tolkien and it is said

that the mill and nearby Moseley Bog provided

the inspiration for the Shire home to Frodo

and Bilbo Baggins.

There is something for everyone in Birmingham

and you will get a warm welcome in one of the

most culturally diverse cities in Britain.

Ironbridge Gorge, world heritage site

The Shakespeare Institute, Stratford-upon-Avon

Birmingham Town Hall

Selfridges, Bullring Brindleyplace


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Doctoral life

DOCTORAL RESEARCHERS ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF

OUR STUDENT COMMUNITYAND HAVE OPPORTUNITIES

TO GET INVOLVED IN EVERY ASPECT OF UNIVERSITY LIFE.

Activities such as volunteering, becoming a

student representative (rep) or a postgraduate

ambassador can enhance your experience and

help you develop valuable transferable skills

that will benefit you in your career.

The Guild of Students

The University of Birmingham Guild of

Students is our recognised students union,

run by students for students. It represents

and involves everyone studying here, whether

undergraduate or postgraduate, from the

UK or overseas, on all campuses.

Every student at Birmingham is automatically

a member of the Guild. This offers a wealth

of benefits including support, entertainment,

training and a wide range of opportunities

to get involved in student life.

Student representation

The student representation system is a

partnership between the Guild of Students

and the University. It enables all students

to make their voices heard, raise issues

that affect them and get things changed

for the better.

Students reps canvass doctoral researchers

within their schools and represent their views

at school, college and university level. Reps

sit on research staffstudent committees and

can also be elected to attend the University

Senate. Becoming a student rep is a positive

way to air your views, and those of your

fellow doctoral researchers, while enhancing

your personal skills and giving you first-hand

knowledge of decision-making within a

complex organisation.

Volunteering

As a postgraduate volunteer, you can

gain valuable transferable skills, which can

boost your employability and broaden your

experience. Volunteering also gives you the

opportunity to meet other people and have

fun, while making a difference to the local

community.

Volunteering does not have to take up a lot

of time all the volunteer projects the Guild of

Students work with understand that your time

is precious, and many offer flexible or one-off

placements. Staff at the Guild can help you

find a placement that suits your skills and time

commitments. The Guild also offers training

and recognition for volunteers, including

certificates, prizes and recognition events.

Student groups

There are over 190 recognised student

groups hosted by the Guild, covering a wide

range of interests including sports, music,

culture, faith and many more. They include

the Postgraduate and Mature Students

Association (PGMSA), which offers a forum

for discussion and support on issues of

specific interest to postgraduates.

Postgraduate ambassadors

Doctoral researchers also have the opportunity

to become ambassadors for the University and

get involved in a range of public engagement

activities. These might include leading tours on

open days and assisting at postgraduate fairs,

as well as taking part in focus groups and

market research. Working hours are flexible

and can be fitted in around your study. As an

ambassador you will be provided with training

and support to ensure you get the most out

of the role. For more information about our

Postgraduate Ambassadors Scheme please

email [email protected]

Being a postgraduate

ambassador gives youfantastic opportunities

to interact with the wider

postgraduate community. It

also allows you to fit paid work

around your research as the

hours are extremely flexible

and you gain useful CV

material whilst making new

friends in the process.

Michael Rush, Doctoral Researcher,

Department of History

Postgraduate virtualcommunity

To see some of the vodcasts produced by

postgraduates and members of academic

staff at the University visit our YouTube

channel: www.youtube.com/

unibirmingham

You can also join our virtual community

through Facebook: wwwfacebook.com/

unibirminghampostgrads


25/62


broadenyour horizons

DESPITE THE PRESSURES OF DOCTORAL RESEARCH

I STRONGLY RECOMMEND MAKING TIME TO GET

INVOLVED WITH SOME OF THE STUDENT GROUPS

ACTIVE AT THE UNIVERSITY.

Though the primary focus of my time at Birmingham is completing my PhD thesis, I have

been continually impressed by the opportunities to get involved with extra-curricular activities

at the University. I have worked as a student representative for my school, my college and

the Guild, championing student opinions to the University. These roles have also enabled

me to organise guest lectures from internationally acclaimed authors along with full-day

conferences. There has been strong support, both in terms of time from the academics

and training and financial support from the University Graduate School. Involvement in

these activities has not only greatly increased my social circle, but it has also broadened

my future career options thanks to the variety of new skills I have gained.

Andrew Logsdail



26/62

ENJOY YOUR TIME HERE AND EXTEND YOUR LEARNING

BEYOND THE LIBRARY OR LAB BY TAKING PART IN ONE OF

THE VAST ARRAY OF SPORTING ACTIVITIES ON OFFER AT

BIRMINGHAM. FROM ARCHERY TO WINDSURFING, UNIVERSITY

OF BIRMINGHAM SPORT OFFERS YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO

PURSUE A SPORT THAT SUITS YOU, WHATEVER YOUR LEVEL

OF EXPERIENCE OR ABILITY.

Sport

Performance sport

The University is a recognised centre of

excellence in UK higher education sport,

attracting athletes from across the world to

study, train and compete. For example, we

have been selected as the training camp for

the world-beating Jamaican Track and Field

Team for the London 2012 Olympics.

We have been ranked as one of the top

sporting universities in the UK by British

Universities and Colleges Sport (formerly

BUSA) for the past 18 years. Competing in

more than 40 sports, Birmingham sportsmen

and women currently excel in crosscountry

running, squash, hockey, rowing, American

football and golf, to name a few.

Active Lifestyle programme

If competitive sport is not for you, there are

plenty of opportunities to simply get fit, feel

healthier, meet people and have fun. Our Active

Lifestyle programme offers fitness, dance and

sports classes to suit all ages, abilities and

fitness levels. It is the largest programme of

its type in the country and includes everything

from boxercise and studio cycling to martial

arts, salsa and yoga.


27/62


Sports facilities

Our campus-based sports facilities include:

Fully equipped fitness suite with extensive

free weights area (awarded Gym of the

Year 2010 for Midlands and Wales by

Workout UK magazine)

Three multi-purpose sports halls

25-metre swimming pool

Seven squash courts

Gymnastics centre

Dojo (martial arts room)

Athletics track

A range of pitches including water-based

and 3G synthetic pitches

A specialised Human Performance Lab,

offering training assistance, nutritional

advice and performance monitoring

Off campus, the Raymond Priestley Outdoor

Pursuits Centre in the Lake District offers the

opportunity to try a range of outdoor activities

including sailing, windsurfing, mountaineering,

rock climbing, kayaking and canoeing.

Tailored support

Whatever sporting activity you are interested

in, at whatever level, our Health and Fitness

team (Thrive) offers a range of professional

support services to help you develop and

improve. Services include fitness and health

assessments, personal training, healthy heart

and cholesterol checks, weight and muscle

analysis, sports massage and access to the

Sports Medicine Clinic.

Learn more

www.sport.bham.ac.uk

Second place overall in the

Universities and CollegesSport league is a fantastic

achievement for Birmingham

students, and also a reflection

of great teamwork between

student clubs and the

University of Birmingham

Sport team that supports

them on and off the pitch.

Zena Wooldridge, Director of Sport at

the University of Birmingham


28/62

WE AIM TO ENSURE THAT YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE CAN RUN AS

SMOOTHLY AS POSSIBLEDURING YOUR TIME HERE, LEAVING

YOU FREE TO FOCUS ON ACHIEVING YOUR ACADEMIC GOALS.

Accommodation

So we guarantee a place in University

accommodation to all international students

who are new to Birmingham, ensuring you

have no concerns about finding a suitable,

safe and sociable place to live.

The guarantee is subject to the

following conditions:

You must have firmly accepted the

offer of a course

Your application for accommodation

must be received by our Accommodation

Services Office no later than 31 July

You must be applying for single

accommodation (the University also has

a limited supply of accommodation for

students wishing to bring their families to

Birmingham but this cannot be provided

on a guaranteed basis)

You agree to remain in your University

accommodation for the full term of

your contract

University accommodation

Most University accommodation for

postgraduate students is located in two

student villages Pritchatts Park and Selly

Oak. Both are safe and secure environments

offering a 24-hour reception service, CCTV

coverage across the whole village, personal

possessions insurance, mentors and a

residents association.

Pritchatts Park Village

Based in Edgbaston, ten minutes walk from

the main campus, Pritchatts Park houses both

undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Accommodation is in single study/bedrooms

(all with internet access) with shared kitchen

and bathroom facilities. A social centre offers

a range of leisure facilities including a licensed

bar, games room, large screen television,

vending area and quiet study zone. Limitedcar parking is available.

Selly Oak Village (Jarratt Hall)

Just five minutes walk from the main campus,

Selly Oak Village is a popular choice for

international postgraduates. Built around

a pleasant central courtyard and three

landscaped areas, it accommodates over

400 postgraduate students in three- to

six-bedroom apartments with en suite facilities,

internet access and shared kitchens and

lounges. Jarratt Hall benefits from an ID card

access control system, and some rooms have

wheelchair access and/or deaf alerts installed.

The University also owns or manages a

number of houses within the Selly Oak

neighbourhood. Some of these are exclusively

for postgraduate students, and a few are

suitable for students with families.

Private rented accommodation

If you prefer not to live in University

accommodation, our Accommodation

My home base: Pritchatts Park Village

Student village living offered Elisabeth Kempf, a Doctoral Researcher in English,

a friendly and supportive environment with a minimum of daily distractions

ideal conditions for her to concentrate on her research.

I am an EU student and I was very thankful that the University guaranteed a place in one

of their postgraduate halls for me. I lived in Oakley Court, which is a part of Pritchatts Park

Village, in a six-bedroom flat that I shared with three other female postgraduate students.

Our flat was fully furnished and modern and we even had a cleaner come and take care of

the communal areas every week! The staff at the reception were always very helpful and

whenever we needed help they sent someone immediately.

Oakley Court is very close to the University: its only a ten-minute walk to the main campus.

Harborne, a local shopping area, is also close by, and buses to and from the city centre leave

on Pritchatts Road, which is only a few hundred metres from our door.

I really enjoyed living in halls and I was able to focus on my research most of the time, as I

didnt have to deal with any problems concerning the flat. It also gave me the opportunity tolive with other postgraduate students, which was a great experience.

Services team can help you find a suitable

private property to rent. There is a wide range

of accommodation available in the local area,

including single flats, shared flats, houses for

different sized groups, properties for families

and lodgings with a residential landlord.

Our flat search scheme can put you in

touch with other prospective students

before arriving in Birmingham, enabling you

to rent accommodation as part of a group.

You can also use our new online search

service www.birminghamstudentpad.co.uk

providing a comprehensive and up-to-date

database of private sector properties so you

can find the property most suited to your

needs as quickly and easily as possible.

We operate a quality control system covering

all properties featured online so you can be

sure any property you find has been checked

and graded against minimum standards

stipulated by the University.


29/62


My home base: Universityowned/managed house

Lisa Kranzer, a Doctoral Researcher

in Medieval Studies, describes her

experience of living in a University

owned/managed house.

I live in a University-owned house

that is reserved solely for postgraduate

students, which means that the people

I share with have roughly the same work

commitments and pressures as I do.

If you are new to the University then thistype of accommodation is an excellent

means by which to meet fellow students

and make friends. The house is in

Selly Oak village, which is very close

to the University.

I found my accommodation through

www.birminghamstudentpad.co.uk

Both University-owned and private sector

accommodation is advertised on this

website. It is a great resource because

all landlords have been checked for their

reliability and quality of accommodation.

So you wont need to be scared of ending

up with an awful landlord or sub-standard

room. I definitely recommend using this

website to all students who are new

to the city.

For more information email

[email protected] or

[email protected]

SHAC is a lettings agency run by our

Guild of Students. The service charges no

fees to student tenants and only advertises

accredited landlords who sign up to a code

of standards which guarantees the quality

and condition of all housing. For more

information visit www.guildshac.co.uk

email [email protected] or search

on Facebook for Guild SHAC.

Learn more

Accommodation information will be included

in your offer pack. For further details on all

the accommodation available please visit

www.accommodation.bham.ac.ukwhere you

can also apply for your accommodation online.

Average rents in local area

Accommodation

type

Weekly fee

Single room

(flat share)

5570 per week

(bills extra)

Three-bedroom

house for a family

500750 per

calendar month

(bills extra)

Self-catered room

(sharing kitchen with

owner)

5080 per week

(bills included)


30/62

WE WANT YOU TO BE COMPLETELY AWARE OF YOUR

FINANCIAL COMMITMENT BEFORE BECOMING A DOCTORAL

RESEARCHER AT BIRMINGHAM.THIS SECTION PROVIDES

YOU WITH INFORMATION ON TUITION FEES AND OTHER

COSTS INVOLVED IN POSTGRADUATE STUDY.

Fees information

The University charges an annual tuition

fee. This covers the cost of your tuition,

examination and graduation, and includes

membership of the Guild of Students.

Fees are payable when you register

for your programme.

When you accept the offer of a place, you are

also accepting responsibility for the payment

of your tuition fees, even if you are sponsored

or in receipt of an award and the sponsor fails

to pay. It is therefore very important that you

have sufficient funds available to you.

Fee band Subjects included in this band Tuition fee

A Clinical Dentistry*

Clinical Medical Education*

28,100

B Anatomy

Biosciences

Chemical Engineering

Chemistry

Civil Engineering

Computer ScienceDentistry (laboratory)*

Earth Sciences

Electronic and Electrical Engineering

Environmental Health and Risk Management

Health Sciences (laboratory)*

Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

Medical Education*

Metallurgy and MaterialsPhysics and Astronomy

15,680

C Geography and Environmental Sciences (laboratory)*

Music

Psychology (classroom and laboratory)

Sport and Exercise Sciences

13,385

D Accounting and Finance

American and Canadian Studies

Applied Social Studies

Archaeology and Antiquity

Business

Drama and Theatre Studies

EconomicsEducation

English Language

English Literature

French Studies

Geography and Environmental Sciences (classroom)*

German Studies

Government and Society

Health Sciences (classroom)*

Health Services Management

Heritage Management (Ironbridge Institute)

Hispanic Studies

History

History of Art

International Development

International Studies

Italian Studies

Language and Cultures

LawLocal Government Studies

Management

Marketing

Mathematics

Philosophy

Political Science

Russian and East European Studies

Shakespeare Studies

Theology and Religion

Urban and Regional Studies

West African Studies

12,140

* Schools may require two price points

Unfortunately if you fail to pay the fees, you

will not be permitted to continue your studies.

Annual fees

The standard annual tuition fees for overseas

doctoral research students in 201314 are:


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However, some programmes charge non-

standard fees, which may be higher than this.

The fee for each programme is listed on the

individual programme page on the University

website (accesed via www.birmingham.ac.uk/

students/courses/postgraduate/research/

listing.aspx) and on the Doctoral research

programme optionspage of this prospectus.

Your tuition fee will be confirmed in your

offer letter.

The annual tuition fee is set for a 12-month

session, which usually runs from October

to the end of the following September. For

doctoral research programmes that begin and/

or end mid-session, fees are normally charged

on a pro rata basis according to the number of

months studied within a session. For example,

if you are on a 15-month research programme

beginning in October 2013, you pay the

annual tuition fee in the 201314 session,

and three-twelfths of the fee for 201415

from October to December 2014.

Doctoral research students who choose, or

are required, to register beyond the minimum

period required for their degree pay the full

tuition fee for that period. If your normal period

of registration has ended but you have yet to

submit your thesis, you are liable to pay a

continuation fee (180 in 201213).

Other costs

Some departments may levy a bench fee or

other fee in addition to the tuition fee. You will

be notified of any additional fee with your offerof admission. You are also expected to meet

the costs of typing and binding your thesis.

This might be in the region of 300 for a

doctoral degree.

Payment methods

You may make monthly or termly instalment

payments using the University direct debit

scheme from a UK bank account. Where

the instalments total more than 4,000

there is a 3% non-refundable administration

fee. For more information on the payment

options available please visitwww.payments.bham.ac.uk

Living costs

As well as having sufficient funds for your

full tuition, you need to ensure you can cover

your living expenses and the living expenses

of any dependants during your period of study.

You should have this funding secured before

travelling to the UK and starting your course.

The University estimates that the cost of

living for a single student is 670 per month

(8,040 for a year) including accommodation.

If you are bringing dependants with you, youshould allow about 3,5004,500 extra

per year for a spouse or civil partner and

2,5003,000 extra per year for

each child.

Please note that the actual amount you

will spend will depend on your lifestyle. We

can only give you an approximate indication

of how much you will need. We can send

you more detailed information about living

costs if you require it. Additional information

on fees and finance can be found at

www.as.bham.ac.uk/funding


32/62

COMING TO STUDY IN THE UK IS A CONSIDERABLE

FINANCIAL COMMITMENT AND YOU ARE ENCOURAGED

TO THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT THE COSTS INVOLVED

BEFORE EMBARKING ON YOUR COURSE, BUT WE

ARE HERE TO HELP YOU EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS.

Sources of finance

As an international student, you will not be

eligible for any financial assistance from the

UK government. It is therefore important to

make sure that your funding is secure before

you begin your studies.

The University offers a number of

scholarships in order to contribute to the

costs of study for international postgraduate

students. Scholarships are also offered

by external organisations. For more

details of the scholarships available to

international postgraduates please see

www.birmingham.ac.uk/international/

students/finance/scholarships/index.aspx

For information on other sources of funding for

international students, we would advise you to

consult the following sources:

The British Council, Embassy or High

Commission in your home country

The Ministry or Department of Education

in your home country

Your current academic institution

(particularly if you are a member of

academic staff looking to upgrade

your qualifications)

Earning while you learn

Part-time work is another potential source of

finance for international doctoral researchers.

The Job Zone, based in the Guild of Students,

can help you find part-time employment

while you study. Hundreds of vacancies are

advertised online at www.guildofstudents.com/

jobzoneDoctoral researchers are very

welcome to drop in and discuss their

employment needs with Job Zone staff.

Please note, however, that there are

certain restrictions on the number of hours

and the types of employment that international

students can undertake. These will depend on

the country you are coming from and the type

of visa you have. Our International Students

Advisory Service can help you with any

queries or issues you may have regarding

your eligibility to work during your studies.

Learn more

www.as.bham.ac.uk/studentlife/international

There are also opportunities within

the University itself to earn money

while broadening your experience

and transferable skills.

Student mentoring

Student mentors provide help and

support to students in University

accommodation. Since mentors live

in, they have guaranteed accommodation

alongside paid work. For more information

visit www.guildofstudents.com/

studentmentors

Postgraduate ambassadors

We regularly employ researchers to

support postgraduate recruitment activity

and encourage prospective students to

consider research careers. For more

information about our Postgraduate

Ambassador Scheme please

email [email protected]

There were lots of

opportunities to work andstudy alongside each other

at Birmingham, which was

essential for me.

Rachel Stokes, Doctoral Researcher,

International Development, now

International Alumni Officer at the

University of Exeter

University Graduate SchoolDoctoral Researcher Elite

Scholarships

The University Graduate School has ten

Doctoral Researcher Elite Scholarships

available for the 20132014 academic

year. These are available to outstanding

overseas candidates of the highest

academic aptitude holding an offer of a

place to study on a PhD at Birmingham

starting in September 2013.

The scholarship is conditional on

nominated candidates achieving a first

class mark (or equivalent) in their final

examinations before beginning their

PhD at the University. The application

deadline for these scholarships will

be in January 2013.

For more information please visit

www.birmingham.ac.uk/students/

fees/dr/elite.aspx


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enhanceyour employability

WORKING ALONGSIDE MY STUDIES HAS NOT ONLY

GIVEN ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO FURTHER DEVELOP MY

COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS, BUT IT HAS

ALSO EXPANDED MY PROFESSIONAL CONTACTS NETWORK.

I work part-time as a student demonstrator, assisting undergraduates during lectures

and tutorial sessions. I help them to interpret information and assess assumptions critically

when solving technical problems. I am also a postgraduate ambassador, in which role I give

campus tours to prospective students and answer any questions they have about life as a

postgraduate at the University of Birmingham. I also help to staff the Doctoral Researcher

Enquiry Service Centre by offering guidance on course content, assisting with the application

process and providing student life mentoring to prospective doctoral researchers. These

roles have not only significantly developed my technical and transferable skills, but have

also sparked my interest to continue working in higher education.

Fabricio Marques



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www.birmingham.ac.uk/

pg-mentor

THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAMS

POSTGRADUATE MENTOR SCHEME IS A

STUDENT-TO-STUDENT SUPPORT NETWORK

FOR PROSPECTIVE POSTGRADUATES.

THE MENTORS ARE EXPERIENCED

POSTGRADUATES WHO CURRENTLY STUDY

HERE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM.

THEY WILL BE ABLE TO OFFER HELP AND

SUPPORT FROM A STUDENT PERSPECTIVE.

You do not need to have already applied to the University to take

advantage of this scheme it is open to enquirers, applicants andoffer-holders.

You can find out more about the scheme, browse mentor

profiles and access mentor contact details at:

PostgraduateMentor Scheme


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IVE LIVED, LEARNED AND GATHERED A WEALTH OF

EXPERIENCES AT BIRMINGHAM THAT HAVE HELPED ME

TO REALISE MY PASSIONS AND TO DISCOVER WHERE

MY TRUE TALENTS LIE.

At Birmingham, Ive not only completed a doctoral thesis working with experts in my field,

but have had unique and valuable opportunities to teach undergraduates in their second year.

I received full training free of charge and benefited from the support of a current member of

academic staff who acted as my teaching mentor. She was great, letting me observe and

team-teach as many of her seminars as I liked to help me prepare for my own. I thoroughly

enjoyed teaching and found the students to be engaged and motivated. If you give a group

the right incentives, they can then do a lot of the work for you and some of the discussions

we had in seminars genuinely made me think! Through teaching I gained many useful

transferable skills and developed a passion for disseminating knowledge that will stay

with me forever.

Holly Prescott


createyour own future


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WHETHER YOUR AIM IS A CAREER IN ACADEMIA OR IN THE

WIDER WORLD, THE VARIETY OF EXPERIENCES THAT YOU CAN

GAIN DURING THE COURSE OF YOUR DOCTORAL RESEARCH

CAN BE OF IMMENSE VALUE.

Undertaking a PhD has given me the chance to improve myself and my CV with experiences

that are otherwise hard to come by. I have learned skills such as film making and editing,

writing funding applications, teaching seminars and proofreading journal articles. The University

Graduate School offers a wealth of free training opportunities which can be really helpful. As

a historian I have handled manuscripts and been allowed behind the scenes at museums and

libraries. My research has given me the opportunity to speak at academic conferences in

several countries, and I have organised conferences and events at Birmingham as part of

various student groups. As a freelance artist I have also had opportunities to do graphic

design work for the promotion of events and journals, which has been a great way to

exercise my talents.

Mike Rush


discoveryour potential



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The University is committed to reducing

its impact on the environment and has a

Sustainable Travel Plan containing a series

of initiatives to encourage all members of the

University community to walk, cycle, car share

or use public transport to travel, where possible.

For information on the travel options available

to you please visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/

contact/directions

By road

Birminghams central location makes it easy

to get here by car. Simply pop our postcode

B15 2TT into your sat nav or route planner

for step-by-step directions.

By rail

We are the only mainland UK university

to have its own railway station. Most

cross-country services arrive at Birmingham

New Street station in the city centre. Up to six

trains an hour depart for the University on the

cross-city line (final destination Longbridge orRedditch). The centre of the main campus is a

five-minute walk from University Station.

How to find us

By coach

There are frequent express coach services

to Birmingham from Londons Heathrow and

Gatwick airports and many UK cities. The

long-distance coach station is in Digbeth

in the city centre.

By bus

There are frequent services from the city

centre to the Universitys Edgbaston and

Selly Oak campuses. You can find bus

timetables and departure point information

at nxbus.co.uk/westmidlands

By taxi

There are taxi ranks at Birmingham New

Street station and throughout the city centre.

The journey to the University takes about

ten minutes.

By air

Birmingham Airport has direct flights from

locations in the UK, as well as from the USA,Canada, Europe and the Middle East. The

journey by taxi from the airport to the University

takes approximately half an hour. A free air

rail link runs from the airport to Birmingham

International railway station every two minutes

and connects with frequent services to

Birmingham New Street station.

If you are arriving at a London airport, there

is a frequent train service from London

Euston railway station to Birmingham

New Street station.

From Heathrow airport, take the Heathrow

Express train to Paddington station and

then the Underground or a taxi to Euston.

Alternatively, take an Airbus from Heathrow

airport direct to Euston station

From Gatwick airport, take the Airport

Express train to Victoria station and then

the Underground or a taxi to Euston

Directions to other University locations

The School of Dentistry is located in Birmingham

city centre. For directions on how to get there

by car, enter the postcode B4 6NN into your

chosen route planner or sat nav.

There are also a number of University locations

away from the city. For directions to Stratford-

upon-Avon (the Shakespeare Institute) and

Ironbridge (the Ironbridge Institute) go to

www.birmingham.ac.uk/contact/directions

BIRMINGHAM IS AT THE HEART OF THE UKS ROAD AND RAILNETWORK, AND IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE FROM OTHER PARTS

OF THE COUNTRY AND BEYOND. THE UNIVERSITYS MAIN

CAMPUS IS A MAJOR LANDMARK IN BIRMINGHAM.


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Sear r dtra reear rtnte at www.birmingham.ac.uk/drDoctoralResearcher

Sear r dtra reear rtnte at www.birmingham.ac.uk/drDoctoralResearcher

The Selly Oak campus

THE SELLY OAK CAMPUS IS 1 MINUTES FROM BIRMINGHAM

CITY CENTREAND ONLY FIVE MINUTES AWAY BY CAR FROM

THE EDGBASTON CAMPUS, ON AN 80-ACRE GARDEN SITE NEAR

THE VILLAGE OF BOURNVILLE. IT IS HOME TO THE ORCHARD

LEARNING RESOURCES CENTRE AND BBC DRAMA VILLAGE.

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Red Zone

R1 Law Building

R2 Frankland Building

R3 Hills Building

R4 Aston Webb A Block,

Earth Sciences

R5 Aston Webb B Block

R6 Aston Webb Great Hall

R7 Aston Webb C Block

R8 Physics West

R9 Nuffield

R10 Physics East

R11 Medical Physics

R12 Bramall Music Building

R13 Poynting Building

R14 Barber Institute of Fine Arts

R15 Watson Building

R16 Arts Building

R17 Ashley Building

R18 Strathcona Building

R19 Education Building

R20 J G Smith Building

R21 Muirhead Tower

R22 Main Library

R23 University Centre

R24 Staff House

R25 Munrow Sports Centre

R26 Geography

R27 Biosciences Building

R28 Learning Centre and Primary Care

Blue Zone

B1 Medical School

B2 Institute of Biomedical

Research including IBR West

B3 Wellcome Clinical Research

Facility (1st floor)

B4 Robert Aitken Institute for

Clinical Research

B5 CRUK Institute for Cancer Studies

and Denis Howell Building

B6 Research Park

B7 90 Vincent Drive

B8 Henry Wellcome Building for

Biomolecular NMR Spectroscopy

B9 Medical Practice and Dental Centre

Orange Zone

O1 The Guild of Students

O2 St Francis Hall

O3 University House

O4 Elm House

Green Zone

G1 32 Pritchatts Road

G2 31 Pritchatts Road

G3 European Research Institute

G4 3 Elms Road

G5 Computer Centre

G6 Metallurgy and Materials

G7 IRC Net Shape Laboratory

G8 Gisbert Kapp Building

G9 52 Pritchatts RoadG10 54 Pritchatts Road

G11 Nicholson Building

G12 Winterbourne House and Garden

G15 Westmere

G18 Priorsfield

G19 Park House

G20 Elms Plant

G21 Park Grange

G22 Elms Day Nursery

Green Zone Conference Park

G13 Hornton Grange

G14 Garth House

G16 Lucas House

G17 Peter Scott House

Yellow Zone

Y1 Old Gymnasium

Y2 Haworth Building

Y3 Mechanical and

Civil Engineering Building

Y4 Terrace Huts

Y5 Estates West

Y6 Maintenance Building

Y7 Grounds and Gardens

Y8 Chemistry West

Y9 Computer Science

Y10 Alta Bioscience

Y11 Chemical Engineering

Y12 Biochemical Engineering

Y13 Chemical Engineering Workshop

Y14 Sport and Exercise Sciences

Y15 Civil Engineering LaboratoriesY16 Occupational Health

Y17 Public Health

8/12/2019 Birmingham Prospectu

Birmingham Prospectus

Documents

Transcript of Birmingham Prospectus